Salle Green

4th EXERCISE - ATTACK AND DEFENSE

This is the fourth exercise for Classical Fencers.

Intent: It is designed to take the fencer through a typical sequence of attack and defense to introduce the combination of actions taught in the first three exercises.

Position: The fencer should position himself or herself on the piste at the normal position for the start of the assault.

Tempo: Execution should be at an even tempo.

Benefits: This exercise develops coordination of fingers, hand, arm, and legs in the development of the attack and the execution of the defense.

Mask: The fencer does not mask.

Sequence	1.	2.	3.	4.
Blade	Sword at carry	Salute to opponent	Salute to left	Salute to right
Body	I	I	I	I

5.	6.	7.	8.	9.
Sword to front	Weapon arm extended	Grasp the point	Raise the weapon	Arms in position
I	I	I	I	I

10.	11.	12.	13.	14.
Arms in position	On guard in 6	On guard in 6	On guard in 6	On guard in 6
I - bend knees	II - step to guard	Advance	Retreat	Advance

15.	16.	17.	18.	19.
Extension in 6	Extension in 6	Extension in 6	On guard in 6	On guard in 4
II	III - lunge	II - recover	II	II

20.	21.	22.	23.	24.
On guard in 4	Extension in 4	Extension in 4	Parry in 6	Extension in 6
Retreat	II	III - lunge	III	III

25.	26.	27.	28.	29.
Extension in 6	On guard in 6	On guard in 4	On guard in 6	On guard in 8
II - recover forward	II	II	II	II

30.	31.	32.	33.	34.
Extension in 8	Extension in 8	On guard in 6	On guard in 6	Sword at carry
II	Advance	II	II - execute 2 appels	I

(1) Position I is with the body erect, feet at 90 degree angle with the front foot directed toward the opponent on the fencing line. Position II is the classical on guard position. Position III is the fully extended lunge position.

(2) This exercise is practiced and demonstrated alone.

(3) Sequence is based on Walter Pollock, F. C. Grove, and Camile Prevost, Fencing (1890), Louis Rondelle, Foil and Sabre: A Grammar of Fencing (1892), Regis Senac and Louis Senac, The Art of Fencing (1904), Felix Grave, Fencing Comprehensive (1934), and Julio Castello, The Theory and Practice of Fencing (1937).